Two weeks later...

Kagome was on her way to work when she received a call from an unknown number.

"Hello?"

"Hi, Ms. Higurashi? My name is Sara Tanaka. I received your email a few days ago and I absolutely love your portfolio."

Kagome was in disbelief. Sara Tanaka was a very famous influencer from Kyoto. "Th-thank you!"

"Would you be able to visit my hometown this weekend? I would like for you to design a dress for me for an upcoming event."

"Yes of course!"

"Great! I'll text you my address and I'll see you Saturday at 4? Is that okay?"

"Absolutely! I'll be there."

"See you then."

Kagome hung up and scrambled to text Inuyasha. She told him what happened and asked him to drive her to Kyoto.

"I can't baby. I have to work. You should learn to drive. I would have lent you my car."

Kagome sighed. What was she going to do? She remained in deep thought as she walked to work.

"I could ask him but..."

Kagome conveniently spotted Koga outside her job. She ran to him in desperation.

"Koga. I need a favor."

"Hey, what's the matter?"

"An influencer wants me to design a dress for her and she wants me to come to her home to discuss the designs."

"That's awesome. What do you need me to do?"

"I need...to get to Kyoto. I know a plane might be too expensive a-and I can pay you back for your trouble. I already have an aunt I can stay with for the weekend so—"

He chuckled softly. "Slow down, babygirl. You said Kyoto?"

She sighed. "Yeah...it's pretty far."

"When do you need to go?"

"I need to be there tomorrow afternoon."

"It's like a 6 hour drive to Kyoto, yeah? I could use a vacation."

"So...you'll take me?" Her eyes lit up.

Koga nodded. "I'll pick you up at 6 AM tomorrow."

Kagome grabbed Koga and hugged him. "You have no idea how much this means to me. Thank you."

He squeezed her back and kissed her hair. "Anything for you."

The next day, 5:45 AM

Koga was already parked outside Kagome's house.

Kagome rushed down the stairs with 2 large suitcases.

He got out of his car to help her. "Damn, Kagome! Why didn't you ask me to help you down?"

"It's okay. I didn't want to trouble you too much."

Koga rolled his eyes. "Alright, Supergirl. Let's hit the road."

Koga reclined Kagome's seat and put a movie on the TV screen for her. He passed her a blanket and a hot chocolate.

"You had this all planned out, huh?"

He shrugged. "Well, you should be comfortable. It's a long ride."

Kagome wound up falling asleep midway through the movie. Koga kept looking over at her and smiling.

Two hours later...Kagome woke up. She looked out the window, then over at Koga, whose eyes were intently on the road.

"Are we almost there?" She asked in a sleepy voice.

"We've got about three more hours until we hit Kyoto. Are you excited?"

"Yeah! I brought my best sketches and my best fabrics too."

"You definitely have some great work. I'm really proud of you."

"Thank you. This wouldn't be possible without you."

"It's no big deal. I don't mind taking you." He smiled. "It's nice to get out of town for a bit, too. Things have been pretty chaotic."

"I know. Did your tribe look into the people that drugged you?"

"Yeah. Turns out they were just some lowlifes testing their fantasy drugs, and looking for people to take advantage of. They didn't even know who I was. My grandpa's pack shut them down and took over their warehouse so they stop drugging people. We pretty much own their operation now."

"I'm glad nothing dangerous happened to you."

"Hey, I'm glad you looked out for me that night. I owed you one for that."

"I suppose." Kagome giggled.

They stopped at a gas station for food and gas, and continued on to Kyoto.

Inuyasha had unexpectedly called Kagome during their drive.

"Hey, do you have my red hoodie?"

"No, didn't you put it in your trunk?"

"Oh, shit, yeah. Thanks babe. I gotta get to class."

As Inuyasha ended the call, Kagome heard a girl in the background call his name. Was that just a coincidence, or was she just hearing things?

She shook the thought from her head and continued on with her day.

"What's the matter? Why is your face all tense like that?" Koga asked.

"Oh, was it that obvious? I-I just thought I heard a girl in the background when Inuyasha called me. I figured I was just imagining things."

"Maybe it's a friend of his?"

"I don't know of him having any female friends."

"Well...he doesn't know about me, right? Maybe it's someone you don't know about either."

Kagome shrugged. "Well...I didn't tell Inuyasha about you because he would freak out. I'm not that way."

"Hey...doesn't matter. You never know what another person is up to."

Kagome thought about that for awhile as she ate her sandwich. Can she really trust Inuyasha?

"You never even asked him about that whole lodge thing, did you?"

Kagome sighed. "No...Inuyasha came clean and said he was actually visiting his mother. She has a drug problem so he doesn't want people to know when he spends time with her."

"I figure you would be the one person he confides in about that. But...the hell do I know? I don't do relationships for a reason. It's too complicated. Friendship is much easier. I don't have any obligations to anybody."

"I guess that's nice...but being in love can be nice too...sometimes."

"Not often enough, from what I've seen. It was different watching my parents as a kid. I feel like I was lied to. They seemed so happy together. They were married 18 years before they died."

"Maybe they really were that happy together."

"I never saw the ugly side to relationships until I got older and watched Ginta and Hakkaku struggle to find love. Seeing Ginta get his heart broken was the hardest to watch. This girl set him up to be robbed because she knew our family had money. That was the only reason she dated him in the first place."

"Not everyone is like that. Sango would never do that to—"

"I hear you," He interrupted, "but I don't know Sango that well. I can't predict what anyone will do from one day to the next. It isn't my job to predict people and track a human or demon forecast. I just gotta keep my guard up. Not saying anything against her, she's a nice girl."

"No, I know. I understand. It's always important to be cautious. That's why I don't call many people my friends."

"That's where I feel a bond with you. The level of trust we have in society makes me feel like I can trust you to an extent. I'm sure as time goes by I'll trust you even more, especially based on what you've shown me already."

"Trust has to be earned, I get that."

"That's right."

Their conversation about love and trust continued on until they reached their destination.

"Kyoto is so serene. Did I give you my aunt's address?"

"You don't have to crash on her couch. Let's book a hotel. I'll get us two rooms."

"Isn't that expensive?"

"It's like $250 a night. That's fine."

Kagome sighed. Koga was able to toss so much money around like it was nothing. She hoped to be rich someday.

They arrived at the Kyoto Tokyu hotel, which wasn't far from her new client's address.

Koga booked them two side by side connected rooms and Kagome got herself changed and situated, ready to meet her client.

3PM

They got back in Koga's car and headed to Sara Tanaka's house.

Kagome nervously rang the doorbell, and a tall dark haired, beautiful woman in a white romper answered the door.

"Hi, I'm Sara! Nice to meet you."

Kagome sat with Sara showing her fabrics and sketches and she was so thrilled to be working with Kagome.

"I like this one..." Sara said softly as she pointed to a page before Kagome managed to flip through her sketch book.

"Really? It's not finished but—"

"It has so much potential. Even the body type in the sketch matches mine. Don't you think so?" Sara stood and twirled.

Kagome giggled. "Yeah, I suppose you're right. So I'll finish the sketch and design this dress for you."

Sara clapped excitedly. "Yay! Thank you so much. I'm sorry for contacting you on such short notice. I hope you'll be able to have the dress done in time. Am I asking too much of you?"

Kagome screwed her mouth to the side. "Well...how soon do you need it?"

"2 weeks..." Sara laughed nervously.

Kagome normally needed a month to finish a design, so she would have to hustle. Perhaps Sango could help? Kagome was deeply determined to make a name for herself, and Sara was such a huge influencer that she was willing to sacrifice sleep, her savings and sanity for this.

"I'll do it."

Koga sent Kagome an Uber back to the hotel and she excitedly knocked on the door to his room.

He answered, dripping wet, with a towel barely covering his bottom half.

"Hey, babygirl. Come in."

Kagome wondered why Koga was so nonchalant about her seeing him in his towel. She continued to stand in the hallway.

"What's wrong?"

"Uhhh...You're not wearing clothes."

Koga looked down at himself. "Oh shit." He said calmly and sarcastically before laughing. "Do I make you uncomfortable? I mean, we've slept in the same bed."

Kagome's face turned red as she remembered trying to sleep with Koga's warm body and erection pressed up against her that night.

"Why are you blushing so hard?" He smiled cheekily. "You think I'm hot, don't you? Want me to take off the towel and show you everything?"

Kagome started laughing. "You're such a goofball!" She said as she entered his room.

"Listen: I consider you my best friend too. You looked out for me when I was vulnerable. I'm completely comfortable around you."

"W-well. You're comfortable around anyone. You have multiple women—"

"Oh, Kagome." He gently grasped her cheek with his warm hand. "You mean so much more than those women. I know being in an 'on again/off again' type of relationship can make you question your bonds." He explained, cupping her chin. "You don't have to worry about that with me. I consider you part of my pack. You're my babygirl. Remember that."

Kagome's face reddened even more. Koga valued Kagome so much that it warmed her heart. She felt genuine love.

"Thank you for saying that. It means the world to me."

"Anything you need, anytime. Don't you ever hesitate to call me. You've taken care of me, you care about me, you treat me like you value me. I will always have your back."

Kagome smiled, then looked away. She knew exactly what she wanted to ask of Koga. She was worried that he would feel like she was just using him for money.

"What's the matter, babygirl?" Koga gently turned her cheek towards him.

"Well...I met with Sara and she's so amazing, but she needs more than I can provide."

"Oh, I see. I'm sorry to hear that."

"I...I told her I could do it. I told her I could make a dress in 2 weeks that I haven't even finished sketching." Kagome closed her eyes as she began to cry. "I need her as a client. It would catapult my career with influencers. She's part of the elite. She wants the dress for the Teen's Choice Awards." Kagome sniffled. "I want my dress on TV."

"Uhh.." Koga sat Kagome on the bed. "Stay here for a sec."

He quickly threw on a pair of shorts and brought Kagome some tissues.

"Tell me what's stopping you from finishing the dress in 2 weeks. I know it isn't your skill set."

"If I had more space, and the right equipment, of course, more fabric, I'd be able to do it."

"You can work in my guesthouse. It's pretty empty, save for a table and couch."

"Can I really?" Kagome looked up with hopeful, glossy eyes.

Koga's heart skipped a beat.

What an angel...she needs to be protected.

"Aaabsolutely. I'll buy whatever equipment you need. Let's get back in town tomorrow morning and I'll buy or order anything you need me to. Okay?"

Kagome nodded and smiled as he wiped her final tears away. "Okay. Thank you so much, Koga."

Koga smirked and gently patted her head. "Under one condition."

"What is it?"

"Gimme a kiss."

Kagome let out an appalled gasp. "Koga!"

Koga turned his cheek towards Kagome. "C'mon."

Kagome gently kissed Koga's cheek and he grinned.

The next day, early that morning, Koga and Kagome arrived in Tokyo and had driven to 8 different stores around the city, and even the outskirts, in an effort to find everything Kagome needed.

"Aren't you tired, Koga? We can stop and pick things up tomorrow."

"You kidding? You only have 2 weeks to get this dress done. I don't mind at all. This is important."

"Are you sure?"

"It's fine, Kagome. Just tell me where you need to go next."

"I just want to get some fabrics. I already know which ones I want, so it won't be long. The only thing is, I need high quality fabrics from Shinjuku."

"Not a problem. After that you're all done?"

"Yes. Then we can go to your place and I can set up in the guest house. At this rate, I can finish the dress in a week or so, at least with a few days to spare."

"Do you have time for a break tonight? To at least have dinner?"

"I'm sure I can make time."

"Great. After we're all finished and you're all set up, I'd like to talk to you."

After Kagome set up her studio in Koga's guest house, he invited her inside for dinner and drinks.

"So what was it you wanted to talk to me about?"

"Well…I've been thinking a lot about things. Including our conversation from yesterday. I uh…I really do trust you, a lot more than I trust most people, so for that reason, I want to give you something."

Koga pulled a golden medallion out of his pocket. It had a wolf's head carved into the center. He handed it to Kagome.

"What's this?" She asked, examining the heavy medallion.

"It's a family crest. If you're ever in any kind of trouble, or just need to use the Sasaki name for anything at all, you can present this. Don't let anything happen to it. This is a symbol that I'm inviting you into my family. This officially makes you part of our pack."

Kagome's eyes watered. "How sweet, this is such an honor. Thank you."

"No, no. Thank you for proving your loyalty to us. It means a lot."

The next day…

Koga was in the game room with Ginta and Hakkaku drinking. Any time they got Hakkaku away from home was a celebration. His wife had his balls in her hand like a vice grip, in Koga's eyes at least.

"Damn. I forgot to call Sango back. She always worries when I don't answer or text back." Ginta said with urgency as he pulled out his phone.

"Girls always get worked up when you're sleeping with them." Koga remarked casually as he chugged another beer.

"Oh…" Ginta laughed nervously. "I'm not sleeping with Sango."

"You're not?" Koga asked, confused. "Well then what is she to you, your pet?"

"Sango is far more to me than a pet!" Ginta argued.

"Sure, sure."

"Koga, you're one to talk." Hakkaku defended. "What constitutes a pet? According to what I've been taught, a pet is a human girl or guy that wolf demons keep around without any desire for sex. They just spend money on their pets and care for them well…like actual pets. So what does that make Kagome? I know you're not sleeping with her!"

Ginta laughed.

"Kagome is way higher up the totem pole than a simple pet. That's my babygirl."

"Babygirl? Now that's even weirder." Hakkaku noted.

"Well I've always said Koga is fond of her. He's got some sort of emotional attachment to Kagome."

"I gave her a family crest last night."

"What?!" Hakkaku exclaimed.

"Without consulting us?!" Ginta chimed in.

"Why the hell do I need to consult you two morons? I'm the leader, aren't I? I know what I'm doing. She's worth more to me than some demon woman." Koga spat. "I'm going to get more beer."

Ginta and Hakkaku glanced at each other the moment Koga walked out.

"He may not be sleeping with her now…" Hakkaku started.

"but eventually, he will be." Ginta finished.